Map of the World 'Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica' (1635–1650) by Guiljelmo Blaeu, from the Original, Framed Art Print

Original public domain art from the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, digitally enhanced. A supreme example of the cartographer's art from the 1600s.

This work is a fine old-colour example of Guillaume Blaeu's classic world map on Mercator's projection, one of the most iconic maps from the Dutch golden age of cartography, navigation and colonisation.

The map became Blaeu's standard world map in his atlases until 1662, when he added a double hemisphere map of the world and later a double hemisphere polar projection, which was apparently not issued during his lifetime, but was later issued by Gerald Valck.

The map's rectangular shape and regular grid of latitude and longitude lines reflect Blaeu's use of Gerard Mercator's projection which Mercator first introduced in 1569. Blaeu's map is essentially a reduced-size version of his wall map of 1605, with basically identical geographical information. As is characteristic of the Mercator projection, the sizes and shapes of landmasses in the polar regions are greatly exaggerated.

This work is now famous for its elaborate ornamentation, embellished with ships, sea monsters, compass roses, and ornate border panels. Across the top are allegorical representations of the sun and moon and the five known planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

The four basic elements, Fire, Air, Water, and Land, are illustrated on the left panel, while the four seasons are depicted on the right panel. The seven wonders of the ancient world are displayed in the bottom panels.

The map incorporates some of the classic early 17th century cartographic misconceptions, including the elongated northwest coast of America, the massive southern hemisphere with narrow straits between it and South America, the incomplete New Guinea attached to a large southern continent, and many other such delightful errors.

Place great art for your interior decor with this durable wood-framed poster. Frame comes in black or white and is available in seven versatile sizes.

.: Museum-quality custom frames
.: Matte premium paper
.: Plexiglass front
.: For indoor use
.: Multiple sizes